The daily life of raising 4 wild and wonderful boys and one spunky and amazing daughter.

Monday, November 14, 2011

I have been thinking a lot about silence and ways to silence my mind. During my last confession I spoke to my priest about trying to find ways of quieting my mind. I have a terrible time trying to be silent....and still. It is never quiet in my house, or car....ever. In the moments it is a little quieter I fill my mind with reading, talking to Cam, listening to music, or surfing my computer...and phone. Yes, I try to quiet myself when I say my prayers. But most of the time it's with 5 little wiggly bodies. It's at night and I'm tired and in a hurry. It's not very quiet. Do I really have time? Of course I do. But, I tend to busy myself right out of it. I do not feel comfortable in silence. I do not like it. At all!
My friend suggested I spend 10 minutes a day in silence praying the Jesus prayer (Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me a sinner). WHAT?? I panicked. 10 minutes is a LONG TIME! She laughed. Okay, try 5. So the next day I tried it. After what seemed like an eternity I opened my eyes and checked how long I had done it. 3 minutes! I need more practice. Way more!
There are things we have done lately that have been great for quiet time. We canceled cable. I love it. I do not miss it at all. I used to have the TV on while I read magazines in bed at night or I'd have it on while folding laundry. I don't miss it a bit....especially all the political ads.
There is more I could do. Much more. I know it would benefit me...and others. I need to carve out the time for it. Why don't I do it??
What do you do to quiet your mind? How do you spend time in silence? Tell me your secrets so I can copy you. Seriously.
PS I'm terribly addicted to multitasking...which makes sitting in silence really hard. While writing this post I changed a light bulb, got milk for Sis, went to another website and checked my texts on my phone. Help!

1 comment:

I have "tried yoga" but found what quiets my mind most is physical activity - maybe getting a "ocean sounds tape" and closing your eyes while listening at the gym. Or once or twice a week walking to the overlook and doing your Jesus Prayer. I was raised with silence...no electricity for months of each year...and so I crave it. But not sitting in it. Moving in it. I wish you well in your search, my dearest DIL.

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Wild at Heart Family

About Me

I'm a stay at home mom with four beautiful boys (five counting my husband) and one beautiful girl that keep me hopping and challenge me to laugh and have fun everyday. Two of our children were adopted from Ethiopia. And...our youngest two babies came to our family the same week! We are Orthodox Christians striving to live out our faith.